Kolkata: The nine persons who were arrested and remanded in seven-day police custody for allegedly raising ‘Justice for RG Kar’ slogans at Tridhara Sammilani pandal were granted bail through a special hearing by Calcutta HC during Durga Puja. They will have to appear before the investigating officer at least once every week.
All nine — five of them are students of Jadavpur University, two of Calcutta University and one a private tutor — claimed they would join future protests.
The HC, on checking the leaflets and their WhatsApp chats, did not find any provocative statements that could create religious unrest in society. The court observed that just because the police had power, they could not arrest anyone under any section for protesting at a puja pandal.
Granting them bail, the vacation bench of Justice Shampa Sarkar stated that there was no need to keep the accused in police custody. The interim bail will remain effective till Nov 15. However, the judge imposed several conditions. The accused must report to the police station every week. They can’t obstruct the govt’s carnival in any way. No protest can be held within 200 m of puja pandal. The accused are also prohibited from protesting at any other pandal. The next hearing is slated for Nov 6.
The nine were arrested under various sections, including unlawful assembly, assaulting a public servant and public mischief under BNS, apart from sections of West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act. Police said three cops were injured in the scuffle outside the Tridhara pandal.